Sunday’s Well Rebels get on their bikes to raise funds for Mixed Ability Rugby World Cup

Thu, 10 Oct, 2024 - 15:49

Noel O’Sullivan

Sunday’s Well Rebels got on their saddles and took to the virtual road recently to raise funds for next year’s Mixed Ability Rugby World Cup in Pamplona, Spain.

The Rebels will travel to Spain in June as world champions having won the tournament at Musgrave Park in 2022.

Sunday’s Well were the first club in Ireland to cater for mixed ability rugby players, but since their first World Cup in 2015, they have participated in three tournaments, winning it on two occasions.

Playing membership has increased since their first tournament, while the number of teams throughout the country has grown and now includes several women’s teams.

Twenty-four men’s and four women’s teams competed in the last tournament in Cork two years ago which proved to be a tremendous success.

Fundraising is crucial to participating in these competitions and the Rebels recently held a 24-hour cyclethon at the club’s complex in Musgrave Park.

Members of the Sunday’s Well Rebels mixed ability rugby team at the recent cycleton, James Madden, Dean Horton, Declan Murray, Gary O’Sullivan, and Frankie-Dean O’Sullivan.

The task was to complete 3,200km on five stationary bikes — the distance to Pamplona and back — and to do so within 24 hours.

The cycle began at 1pm on Saturday, September 28 and the Rebels completed their journey by 12.50pm the following day, raising a total €8,000 for the trip between online and cash donations, surpassing the target of €5,000.

Among the participants were members of the Sunday’s Well’s first team, including club captain Finn MacFhlannchadha, who joined the peloton on the Saturday.

The team was due to play Richmond the following day, but when the game was postponed, several players joined in for a second session.

In total there were more than 80 participants, including Rebels coaches, players, and parents, all of whom helped complete the task ahead of schedule.

Some were on the bike for short periods, others for longer — the standout being Declan Murray who was in the saddle for 150km in total, including a single leg of 45km.

Some of the participants who took park in the Sunday’s Well Rebels cycleton to raise funds for next June’s Mixed Ability World Cup.

The Rebels team manager is Liam Maher and they are coached by Gary O’Sullivan and Keith Johnston.

The Rebels were thrilled to have surpassed their fundraising target, but they won’t be resting on their laurels as they build towards next June.

Other fundraisers are planned in the near future, including a table quiz and several raffles. Anyone who would like to contribute can do so through their go fund me page https://gofund.me/3620f3fe